Best Haircuts to Make Thin Hair Look Thicker

No photo filter can instantly transform fine strands into a thick, full mane—but you can add body to your thin hair with the right haircut. Celebrity stylist Juan Carlos Maciques recommends avoiding cuts that are too layered or shaggy as they can make hair look thinner. Instead, opt for one of the many cuts that can enhance your hair by making it appear thicker and fuller. Whether you like a longer length or are looking to go short, you have options. We turned to Maciques to find the best haircuts for fine and thin hair.

Meet the expert

Juan Carlos Maciques is a celebrity hairstylist at Oscar Blandi Salon in New York. He has styled Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen, and Priyanka Chopra, among others.

Keep scrolling for 12 celeb-inspired haircuts that make thin hair look thicker.

Blunt Mid-Length Cut

If you're looking to maintain your length, Maciques recommends keeping hair at or above a mid-chest length. His reasoning? Hair tends to thin itself out as it grows past this point. "There are different densities of fine hair that contribute to what you can or cannot do, but a blunt cut is typically best if you are going to grow it long," says Maciques.

Choppy Pixie

A pixie is another short-length option for thin hair—and contrary to popular belief, anyone can pull it off. Consider a take with choppy ends, like on Zoë Kravitz here, that adds texture and interest to fine strands. Style with a pomade, such as Living Proof Amp Texture Volumizer.

Curtain Bangs

Thin and fine hair finds an ally in fringe. "Bangs create a distraction by diverting the eye. It gives fullness to the front where the eye automatically goes at first glance and instinctively," Maciques tells us. Opt for a pair of curtain bangs, like Alexa Chung's, which are low-maintenance and versatile.

Beachy Waves

Regardless of your hair length, a loose, beachy wave style is a simple way to add body to fine hair. And while a curling wand will help you achieve this look, a flat iron or wave wand is a good alternative for anyone who ends up doing arm gymnastics while using hot tools.

Asymmetrical Bob

Rather than go for a classic bob haircut, why not try a refreshing asymmetrical version instead? This cut works on thin and fine hair by adding texture and body. "A layered, graduated bob is also a great option—it's playful and puts the texture at its best potential since layering at this length now works to give movement to the hair," explains Maciques. "Adding different lengths and piecing it won't compromise the texture."

According to Maciques, cutting the bob length to the cheekbone level—as opposed to the chin—and tapering the back short will help to give you the appearance of a thicker, fuller, mane.

Invisible Layers

Invisible layers around the face will take out just enough length without making fine hair look thinner. This technique can create the illusion of more hair, since it adds movement to the cut.

A Deep Side Part

Flipping your part over to the side is the oldest hack for faking more volume and body. Combine a deep side part with waves, and you'll have thicker, fuller-looking hair like that.

Long Layers and Bangs

Ethereal and effortless, Nicole Richie's mid-length cut incorporates long layers and blunt ends to boost volume and lend fullness to her mane. Meanwhile, the addition of wispy bangs proves to be a great accessory. To style, apply some root powder—we like Not Your Mother's Plump for Joy Sexy Hair Big Powder Spray—for an instant lift.

Long, Layered Pixie

For a fuss-free shorter cut, Maciques says a pixie is your best bet. "[It's] an ideal option and timeless in its appeal," he explains. "Think Michelle Williams or Mia Farrow in the classic film Rosemary's Baby. It's a great way to camouflage fine hair."

Blunt Bob With Bangs

It's true: the blunt lob or bob is flattering for fine hair, too. "The more geometric and blunt you make these cuts, the fuller the density appears," explains Maciques. "It's not about adding layers for volume but, on the contrary, it's more about keeping the bottom looking dense and therefore seeming thicker."

A set of bangs on thin hair can take the on-trend style to the next level. "Adding bangs to these lengths is also a great alternative that changes the look/cut altogether," says Maciques.

Texture Up Top

In general, the shorter the length, the more dense thin and fine hair will appear. Samira Wiley's undercut involves a close shave on the sides that contrast with and underscore her gorgeous curls up top.

Tucked Bob

This take on the timeless bob is a great option for thin hair that's also undeniably chic. Slightly flipping ends inward creates shape without taking out weight, thus giving the illusion of a fuller head of hair.

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